Customer Reviews

Plasma Physics for Astrophysics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a superb book-by far the best of the numerous basic texts on plasma physics available today .Though oriented toward astrophysical applications,this book will also be useful to physicists and engineers wishing to study general plasma physics in preparation for research in space physics,magnetic or inertial fusion,or plasma applications.The treatment of MHD is insightful, elegant and profound,and the chapters on Alfven's theorem, MHD waves,the energy principle and basic reconnection theory are the best of their kind in this type of basic text.The discussions of collision theory and Braginskii fluids are also quite good,as is the treatment of particle orbits.The presentations of kinetic theory,collisionless wave dynamics,and of quasilinear and nonlinear plasma theory are rather terse and sparse,but are still deep (albeit selectively) and thought provoking.The advanced chapters on cosmic ray acceleration and dynamo theory are unique treatents of topics of current research and so necessarily reflect both the author's deep insights into , and strong opinions on, these subjects, for which our understanding is still evolving.The only real weak point of the book is its rather paltry discussion of collisionless shocks-a topic of great importance to many applications in modern astrophysics such as GRBs,AGNs,etc.
The many problems are interesting and conceptually oriented ,and so stress physical insight over technical detail.These are a real strength of this text,which will stimulate and challenge even the best students.
All told,the many positives for this book overwhelm the few negatives, and make it a classic whose value will endure for many years to come.Its a must for all plasma physicists!!

This useful text is a companion to the classic, definitive, Cosmic Plasma by Hannes Alfven. It is part of an essential reference library for understanding the role of electricity and magnetism in astrophysical objects. It is a welcome quantitative description of these phenomena in a field characterised by hand-waving and not much science.The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer

This book deals with not only fundamental physics of plasma but also interesting and concrete issues such as aurora, accretion disk, solar wind and so on. These topic are very educational, so I love it. However, there are a lot of misprints. I have a difficulty reading this book because of this...
I really think this book is great, but if you use this, keep the fact in mind, please.